MBA admissions for the 2026 intake at top Indian and international business schools are currently in progress, with many application deadlines in November and December 2025. Most programs require a valid entrance exam score (like CAT, XAT, GMAT, etc.), a bachelor’s degree, and successful performance in subsequent interview rounds. Key Dates and Deadlines (India) The application process in India largely follows the schedule of major entrance exams. Exam Registration Deadline Exam Date CAT 2025 September 20, 2025 (Closed) November 30, 2025 XAT 2026 December 5, 2025 January 4, 2026 SNAP 2025 November 20, 2025 Dec 6, 14, & 20, 2025 NMAT 2025 October 10, 2025 (Closed) Nov 5 – Dec 19, 2025 IIFT (via CAT) November 28, 2025 November 30, 2025 (CAT exam) Top College Application Deadlines (India) Many leading institutes have their own application deadlines, often coinciding with or shortly after the major exam dates. College Name Exams Accepted Application Deadline (Tentative) XLRI Jamshedpur XAT, GMAT December 5, 2025 SPJIMR Mumbai CAT, GMAT November 28, 2025 MDI Gurgaon CAT, GMAT November 28, 2025 FMS Delhi CAT November 26, 2025 IMI Delhi CAT, XAT December 12, 2025 GIM Goa CAT, XAT, GMAT November 27, 2025 K J Somaiya CAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, GMAT January 20, 2026 IITs (Bombay, Delhi, etc.) CAT Applications open in Jan 2026 General Admission Process Overview The typical MBA admission process involves several stages: Key Requirements